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Monday, April 14, 2008

Naxal's hunger strike: Stalemate continues

sourceNAGPUR: The issue of reported hunger strike of the 12 inmates held for their alleged association with the Naxal movement at the city's central jail is likely to take centrestage on Monday when state deputy chief minister R R Patil would be in the city. While the state anti-naxal operation cell is yet to begin the probe in full swing, the jail administration seems to be puzzled over the issue. Patil, who recently ordered a probe into the charges framed against the Maoists and their sympathisers, is likely to take stock of the situation. Sources in the government security agencies had earlier indicated that the developments in Central Jail mirrored a Naxal strategy to create modules inside the prison to ensure a steady recruitment drive and continuous building of pressure on the government through protests in the jails. Recently, a two-day convention had taken place in Northern India where frontal organisations had met to discuss the issue of freeing political prisoners from jails all across the country, sources told TOI. ANO chief Pankaj Gupta has claimed that he was kept in the dark regarding the ongoing protest by naxals and their demands. "It seems that the Naxal inmates in the jail have formed some groups and are trying to mount pressure on the administration," said Gupta. "The ANO should have been informed earlier about the demands and developments of the Naxals in prison," added Gupta. Meanwhile, jail authorities have claimed that the protesting Naxals are refusing to take their regular meals.